A sewing machine includes a controller and a thread cutter which cuts an upper thread passed through a sewing needle and which has a fixed knife, a moving knife, and a driving source to drive the moving knife. The moving knife cuts the upper thread by guiding the upper thread. The moving knife has a through-hole into which the sewing needle is loosely insertable and includes a thread cutting portion in an inner edge portion of the through-hole. By controlling the driving source, the controller makes a stitch point of a first stitch of the sewing needle with respect to the through-hole of the moving knife, and moves the moving knife to a position where the fixed knife and the moving knife cut a sewing start end portion of the upper thread after a stitch point of a second stitch of the sewing needle.

A sewing machine includes a threading mechanism, a holding member, and a movement mechanism. The threading mechanism is configured to move a hook between a standby position and an operative position. The holding member includes a cutting blade and a clamping portion. The cutting blade is configured to cut an upper thread. The clamping portion is configured to clamp and hold a thread end of the cut upper thread. The movement mechanism is configured to move the holding member to a first position and a second position. The first direction is a direction from the standby position to the operative position. The second position is a position on a second direction side with respect to the first position. The second direction is a direction opposite to the first direction.

A sewing machine includes a threading mechanism, a holding member, and a movement mechanism. The threading mechanism is configured to move a hook between a standby position and an operative position. The holding member includes a cutting blade and a clamping portion. The cutting blade is configured to cut an upper thread. The clamping portion is configured to clamp and hold a thread end of the cut upper thread. The movement mechanism is configured to move the holding member to a first position and a second position. The first direction is a direction from the standby position to the operative position. The second position is a position on a second direction side with respect to the first position. The second direction is a direction opposite to the first direction.

A sewing machine includes a needle bar, a needle bar release mechanism, a drive portion, a contact member, and a switching mechanism. The needle bar is configured to move up and down. The needle bar release mechanism is configured to connect and disconnect the transmission of the driving force between the drive shaft and the needle bar. The drive portion is configured to drive the needle bar release mechanism. The contact member is configured to come into contact with the needle bar in a case where the needle bar is positioned at a top dead point of the range within which the needle bar is able to move up and down. The switching mechanism is configured to switch the position of the contact member between a first position and a second position.

A sewing machine includes a needle bar, a needle bar release mechanism, a drive portion, a contact member, and a switching mechanism. The needle bar is configured to move up and down. The needle bar release mechanism is configured to connect and disconnect the transmission of the driving force between the drive shaft and the needle bar. The drive portion is configured to drive the needle bar release mechanism. The contact member is configured to come into contact with the needle bar in a case where the needle bar is positioned at a top dead point of the range within which the needle bar is able to move up and down. The switching mechanism is configured to switch the position of the contact member between a first position and a second position.

An integrated system for treating a thread and using the treated thread, comprising: a thread treatment machine for treating a thread or portions thereof; a thread applicator configured for using the treated thread such as a stitching machine of 3D printer; at least one mechanism for collecting and trimming thread portions; and a control unit, configured for controlling at least the thread treatment machine, the thread applicator and the collecting and trimming mechanism and for coordinating the treatment of the thread with the operation of the thread applicator, wherein the control unit is further configured for controlling the collecting and trimming mechanism for collecting untreated thread edge portions for allowing using only treated thread portions.

An integrated system for treating a thread and using the treated thread, comprising: a thread treatment machine for treating a thread or portions thereof; a thread applicator configured for using the treated thread such as a stitching machine of 3D printer; at least one mechanism for collecting and trimming thread portions; and a control unit, configured for controlling at least the thread treatment machine, the thread applicator and the collecting and trimming mechanism and for coordinating the treatment of the thread with the operation of the thread applicator, wherein the control unit is further configured for controlling the collecting and trimming mechanism for collecting untreated thread edge portions for allowing using only treated thread portions.

A system and method for capturing thread from an entraining air flow is provided, wherein the entraining airflow is selectively created in response to a location of the user relative to the device. The entraining airflow is sufficient to entrain an anticipated length of the thread, wherein the entraining airflow then passes through a grill. The grill shape, the airflow rate and the airflow velocity are selected to retain the entrained thread on the grill. The airflow is then terminated without requiring user intervention. Upon retention of a number of threads on the grill, the grill is separated from the housing and the retained threads are simultaneously disposed of in a desired container.

A system and method for capturing thread from an entraining air flow is provided, wherein the entraining airflow is selectively created in response to a location of the user relative to the device. The entraining airflow is sufficient to entrain an anticipated length of the thread, wherein the entraining airflow then passes through a grill. The grill shape, the airflow rate and the airflow velocity are selected to retain the entrained thread on the grill. The airflow is then terminated without requiring user intervention. Upon retention of a number of threads on the grill, the grill is separated from the housing and the retained threads are simultaneously disposed of in a desired container.

A method for preventing seam ravel of multi-thread chain stitches is provided. After normal sewing is terminated with a looper set in a forward movement state, a state in which a needle thread loop caught by the looper is subjected to position-holding at a position closer to a forward movement end of the looper than a descent position of a needle is maintained until the needle descends through the needle thread loop caught by the looper. Thereafter, the position-holding of the needle thread loop is released to permit a sewing action for at least one stitch, thereby allowing the needle thread loop to be self-looped with a needle thread held by the needle. This surely strongly prevents the seam ravel of multi-thread chain stitches formed by the single needle, irrespective of the dimension of tension applied to the needle thread and the looper thread.